Chinese Export Regulations 2026 — New Documentation Requirements for Heavy Equipment

Chinese export documentation for heavy machinery has tightened over the past two years — more required certificates, stricter Certificate of Origin verification, and new safety declarations on cranes 100T+. This article covers what changed and what UAE buyers should expect on the export paperwork.

What changed in 2024–2026

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) tightened export documentation across heavy machinery in early 2024. Key changes:

• Certificate of Origin verification requires factory audit records.
• Safety declaration required for cranes rated 100T+ or with boom over 60 m.
• Enhanced customs pre-declaration windows.
• Stricter serial-number / chassis-number matching between invoice and manufacturer records.

Certificate of Origin — stricter verification

The Certificate of Origin (needed for UAE customs to correctly assess duty) now requires the Chinese seller to provide factory-of-manufacture records. For units re-sold through a Chinese trader (not directly from the OEM), the trader must obtain the CoO from the original factory. Timing: adds 3–7 days to the pre-shipment paperwork window.

Safety declaration for heavy cranes

Cranes over 100T rated capacity or 60 m boom now require a Chinese safety-standards declaration alongside the standard CE / ISO paperwork. The declaration comes from an authorised body (Beijing SGS, TÜV Rheinland Shanghai, etc.). Cost: USD 400–900 per unit. Timing: 3–5 days.

Used vs new — different documentation trails

New units ship with full factory paperwork. Used units are more variable:

• Original owner's registration / operator records ideally included.
• De-registration certificate from the previous jurisdiction.
• Manufacturer's original CoO if obtainable (not always).
• Third-party inspection report from a Chinese inspection body.

Missing paperwork slows Bayan clearance at Jebel Ali. Our sourcing pre-check verifies the paperwork trail before we place the 20% deposit — if it's incomplete, we walk away from that unit.

Whose responsibility

On our sourcing contracts, the Chinese seller is responsible for producing all export-side documents. We verify completeness before the vessel is booked. Any additional certificate cost is included in the freight/customs line of the proforma — no separate line item to the buyer.